The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-05-25
PAYNE's SWEETHEART.
Death of Miss Mary Harden, the Afianced
of the Author of "HOme, Sweet Home"
ATLANTA, Ga, Special

Death of Miss Mary Harden, the Affianced
of the Author of 'Home, Sweet Home"
ATLANTA, Ga, Special
Miss Mary Harden, the fance of John
Howard Payne, and the lady for whom he
wrote his "Home, Sweet Home" died in
Athens last night, and was buried there
to-day. 1t is claimed that the orig
was baried with her, as it
was interlined with love declarations
from Payne, which the lady did not wish
to have fall under the eyes of the public.
She had been offered large sums for the
manuscript but always declined to part
with it. Miss Harden passed her seventy
eighth year on her last birthday. Proba-
bly, not half dozen persons outside of
Athens knew that the quiet little home on
Hancock avenue had this remarkable lady,
and many residents of Athens even had
lost sight of this aged and unobtrusive
person.
Her father was General Harden, of Saw.
annab. He was wealthy and influential,
and prominent in social circles and in pol
itiCs. He gave his daughter every advant-
sge; particularly was she versed in French,
a language which she maintained with
many OF the graces OF that life and liter
ature while girl. She was reared in a
French family, and subsequently
even learned the use of the rapier,
practiciDg regularly in fencing exercises.
She spent several years in Europe,
completing her education in Paris and sup
plementiDg a fine training with the full
ness and breadth OF travel. While still
quite young her father, General Harden,
was appointed Commissioner to treat with
the Cherokee Indians, and resided IN
Rome, Ga. 1t was here that a romance
entered her life, which gave it an interest
ing coloring toward the close of her
days, but which did not affect her at
the time. One OF the agents or assist
ants in this indian transaction, was John
Howard Payne, a young man from New
England. He went to Athens with Gen.
eral Harden, and met and loved his daugh-
ter Mary. Payne was ardent and pathetic,
but the young girl was not touched by his
wooing. She was clear-headed, sensible,
practical, and does not seem to have cared
much for society or to have allowed her
thoughts to turn to love.
Payne loved on. He wrote to her. Some
tlmes his appeals were in verse; always ar
dent. 1t was to her that his SOUL trouble
rocked and tempest-tossed. indited those
beautiful words: Home, Sweet Home"
The manuscript Miss Harden preserved
and priced.
When General Harden died in Atlanta
it was found that his estate was involved,
and much of his property swept away.
His daughter went bravely to work with
her French translation and made a living.
She did much work of this sort tor large
business houses and translating diplomatic
matters. The French Legation in Wash
iDgton used to keep her constantly en-
ployed. The purity Of her French and
the elegance of her English made her in
valuable.
In this way Miss Hardin soon acquired
enough to buy back much OF her fathers
property. The house in which she died
was one OF the pieces reclaimed by her in
domitable work. She accumulated com.
potency which sustained her through life
She was worth about $50, 900, and leaves
besides city property stocks, bonds and
valuable jewelry. Among the latter
treasures in city bank are some costly
trinkets, presented her by persons of title
and station when she went to Europe. 1t
is said that she made will some time ago
giving this property to her nephew in Quit
man County. He has since died and her
money will probably be divided among her
other relatives.
Several Of these now live in Quitman.
Mrs. Reese and Mrs. Asa NJ. Jackson, of
Athens, are cousins of Miss Harden. She
lived very economically and saved most of
har inn0ma